Architect César Ortiz-Echagüe, a driving force behind the launch of the School of Architecture
A priest and architect, he helped launch the “ School of Architecture ” and spearheaded the creation of the University’s Photographic Collection, which includes the collection of his father, José Ortiz Echagüe, considered one of the most significant collections in Spain
28 | 09 | 2026
On September 27, César Ortiz-Echagüe passed away in Madrid. A priest and architect, he helped launch the School of Architecture and was one of the driving forces behind the University’s Photographic Collection, which began with the “ bequest ” from the collection of his father, José Ortiz Echagüe—a collection considered one of the most significant in Spain. His photographs are on permanent display at the University Museum. He was 99 years old.
César Ortiz-Echagüe was born in Madrid (January 13, 1927) into a family with a strong artistic sensibility. His uncle, Antonio Ortiz Echagüe, was a painter, and his father, José Ortiz Echagüe, was a photographer of great international renown who held numerous exhibitions around the world.
He began his architecture programs of study in 1947 at the School of Architecture of the University of Madrid ( School of Architecture ). In June 1952, he received the annual " award " award from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando for his final " project " of " degree program."
He worked with architect Rafael Echaide for twelve years (1955–1967), whom he had met at the high school Mayor Moncloa. Among the projects they built together, the SEAT building in Barcelona stands out; it led Ortiz-Echagüe to become the first Spaniard to win the American Institute of Architects’ Reynolds “ award ” (1957) for his “ project ” on the factory’s employee cafeterias.
His connection to the University dates back to 1967, when he helped launch the “ School of Architecture,” for which he was named “ Extraordinary Professor.” César Ortiz-Echagüe was instrumental in forging the bond between his father and the academic institution. That bond proved decisive in ensuring that, following José Ortiz Echagüe’s death in 1980, his photographic “ file ” was donated to the University.
The collection comprised 1,100 photographs—both by José Ortiz Echagüe and other photographers—1,500 paper negatives, and 28,740 negatives, as well as cameras, photo laboratory , publications, and documentation. It formed the basis of the University’s Photographic Collection, which served as the foundation for the collection currently held by the Museum.
“César Ortiz-Echagüe played a key role in ensuring that his father’s photographic bequest s could be preserved as a complete set and made available to the ‘ research ’ and the ‘ knowledge,’” says Jaime García del Barrio, the museum’ director . “His initiative and commitment are part of the history of our collections and the very origins of the museum.”
The “Spanish Mies van der Rohe”: Highly Rationalist Steel-and-Glass Architecture
Ortiz-Echagüe is known as “the Spanish Mies van der Rohe” for his highly rationalist steel-and-glass architecture. In the 1960s, he became an ambassador for Spanish architecture in Europe, organizing professional gatherings, exchanges, and publications.
Among his works are the coordination of the Torreciudad Sanctuary's " project " (1963–1975), which had been designed by the Valencian architect Heliodoro Dols; the " high school " at Tajamar in Madrid (1961–1967), which he considered his most cherished work; and the university dining hall building (1970).
In 1974, he was named a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Bavaria in the field of architecture; Eduardo Chillida was already a member of the academy, and Antonio Tàpies would later join as well.
A member of Opus Dei since 1945, he was ordained a priest in Rome by John Paul II in 1983. He served as a priest in Germany, Italy, and Spain.
José Manuel Pozo, a professor at the School of Architecture of the University of Madrid ( School of Architecture ) and dean of the same institution ( Deputy Director ) from 1994 to 2000, recalls Professor César Ortiz-Echagüe as follows: “God has taken César Ortiz-Echagüe from us, one of Spain’s greatest architects, who created remarkable works during the golden age of 20th-century Spanish architecture and who has left the profession a magnificent example of dignity and generosity.”
Architects Manuel Barbero, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and César Ortiz-Echagüe, pictured together in 1957